Harry Kane

The future of English football will be on display Tuesday night as Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham lead their respective clubs into battle in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals. Kane, the 29-year-old veteran striker, has taken the Bundesliga by storm since his $121 million move to Bayern Munich last summer. With 42 goals in 42 games across all competitions, he has surpassed even the lofty expectations that accompanied his landmark transfer from Tottenham.

Real Madrid’s masterclass in shackling Erling Haaland has etched their name in Champions League folklore yet again. However, an even greater test awaits in the form of Harry Kane when they face Bayern Munich in the semifinals. The reigning European champions displayed tactical brilliance in neutralizing Manchester City’s goal machine, Haaland, across two titanic quarterfinal clashes. Their veteran defenders, Antonio Rudiger and Nacho Fernandez, took turns in man-marking the prolific Norwegian, limiting his impact on proceedings.